Families pack the movie theater. It’s not opening night. It’s not even opening year. These movies came out decades ago.
Every year, the animated films of Japan’s Studio Ghibli return to U.S. theaters. The event, called Studio Ghibli Fest, runs from June through October. Nearly 10 years in, these old movies still draw new audiences.
A Different Sort of Studio
You might recognize some Studio Ghibli titles. Since 1985, the company has released My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron, and others.
Three men founded the studio: director Isao Takahata, producer Toshio Suzuki, and Hayao Miyazaki, who did a bit of everything. Miyazaki’s creations would become particularly beloved by fans.
Studio Ghibli’s films offer something different from other animated fare. Its creators focus on craft and storytelling over profits. They don’t stuff their movies with jokes and musical numbers. They tell character-driven stories.
Behind the scenes, Miyazaki could be a harsh taskmaster. He gained a reputation for demanding perfection from animators. But that eye for detail shows up on-screen.
These films aren’t for everyone. Some viewers might find them too spooky. Some might feel uncomfortable with the spiritual elements of Japanese folklore they contain. For others, these films deserve status with the classics.
Coming to America
In the 1980s, some English-language versions of Studio Ghibli films trickled into U.S. theaters. Ghibli-mania wouldn’t fully sweep America until the Walt Disney Company got involved. Disney worked with Studio Ghibli to release its films in the United States. It even created new English-language “dubs” with popular voice actors. In 2003, Miyazaki’s Spirited Away earned Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards.
Today, a company called GKids handles U.S. releases of Studio Ghibli movies. Despite the name, these movies aren’t just for kids. Thirty-four-year-old Amanda Mendoza VanCleave attends Studio Ghibli Fest showings every year. She brings her three-year-old daughter and her own mother.
“It’s been our thing,” says VanCleave. “Us three girls together.”
A Lasting Legacy
GKids launched Studio Ghibli Fest in 2017. Even with the films available online, the theatrical audience keeps growing.
“I’d be lying if I thought the program when we conceived it would be going as long as it has,” says Dave Jesteadt, GKids president. “It does defy conventional wisdom. We keep waiting for the year that people tire of going to the films, but that’s not what’s happening.”
Studio Ghibli Fest flips modern entertainment trends. While many Hollywood companies chase whatever’s flashy and new, the event gives audiences something old. Big studios like Disney have given up traditional 2-D animation for 3-D computer models. Studio Ghibli films still feature hand-drawn art. Many business experts predict that online streaming could put theaters out of business. But Studio Ghibli fans keep filling seats.
Why? Newer isn’t always better. Trend-chasing can bring short term success, but lasting success comes with quality.
